Resealable packaging container with interior mounted pressure sensitive coated collar

ABSTRACT

A resealable packaging container for housing goods includes a wrapper of a flexible material that encloses the goods within. A perforated panel is cut into the wrapper for movement between open and closed positions. The perforated panel defines a wrapper opening in the wrapper when the perforated panel is in the open position to allow access to the goods disposed within the resealable packaging container. A pressure sensitive coated collar adhesively engages the inner surface of the wrapper underneath the perforated panel to partially surround the wrapper opening. The pressure sensitive coated collar includes an open central portion that is disposed inwardly of the wrapper opening and an exposed region that extends between the wrapper opening and the open central portion. The perforated panel reseals to the exposed region of the pressure sensitive coated collar in the closed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention relates to a resealable packaging container forhousing a plurality of goods, more specifically, a resealable packagingcontainer having a perforated panel that is movable between open andclosed positions to provide access to the goods.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Products such as food and personal care items are provided in resealablepackaging containers that provide for access. The resealable packagingcontainers protect the product within from damage during shipping andhandling, seal the product to prevent the product from deteriorating dueto environmental conditions for predetermined periods of time, and actas a storage vessel. Once opened, while most containers can be reclosed,the effectiveness of the closing arrangement varies widely. Resealablepackages provide a user with the ability to open a container to gainaccess to the contents disposed within and reseal the container in aclosed position to protect the remaining contents within the containerbetween uses.

One such example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,532 toSeirra-Gomez. The Seirra-Gomez patent discloses a resealable packagehaving a polygonal-shaped frame surrounded by a wrapper with a flap cuttherein to define an access opening in the top of the wrapper. A sealinglayer, or label with adhesive disposed over its inner surface, is placedover the top of the wrapper and the flap. The adhesive label is sizedslightly larger than the flap to effectuate sealing to the wrapper topin addition to the flap. The adhesive label is permanently adhered tothe flap and resealably adhered to the portion of the wrapper topsurrounding the flap. The adhesive label and the flap secured theretoare movable together between an open position and a closed position. Inthe open position, the adhesive label and flap secured thereto arepulled away from the top of the wrapper to expose the access opening. Inthe closed position, the adhesive label is resealable against the toplayer of the wrapper in the area surrounding the flap. The adhesivelabel includes a starter tab to assist in moving the adhesive label andthe attached flap between the open and closed positions.

Another such example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,357 toNakamura. The Nakamura patent discloses a container with a wrapperhaving a U-shaped weakened line formed therein, with the ends of theweakened line being formed in an arc. The arc portions extend outwardlytowards the sides of the wrapper. The weakened line forms a flap portionor a perforated panel that is movable between an open position to allowaccess to the contents within the container and a closed position thatconceals the contents disposed therein. An adhesive sheet or label issecured to the inner surface of the wrapper. The adhesive label isgenerally rectangular and includes a removable adhesive portion that isdefined by a closed loop, perforated portion formed in the label. Thelabel completely covers and completely surrounds the flap portion of thewrapper. The perforations defining the removable adhesive portion of thelabel are positioned to lie within the perforations defining the flapportion of the wrapper. A starter tab, is located on flap portion, andis used to move the flap portion between the open and closed positions.Upon initial use, the flap portion of the wrapper is pulled upwardly atthe starter tab and is partially separated from the wrapper. At the sametime, the removable adhesive portion of the label, which is adhered tothe flap portion, is removed or separated from the adhesive label. Whenthe wrapper is closed or reopened, the flap portion, which is partiallyseparated from the wrapper, has the removable adhesive portion attachedthereto since it was fully removed from the label. The removableadhesive portion remains attached to the flap portion during allsubsequent openings and closings.

Another such example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,105 to Palumbo.The Palumbo patent discloses a wrapper having a non-rectangular,V-shaped slit, scored therein. A V-shaped label is adhered to the outersurface of the wrapper to follow the direction of the slit and cover thewrapper on both sides of the slit. A starter tab is defined in the apexof the label to move the label and the wrapper secured thereto betweenthe open and closed positions. The portion of the label secured to thewrapper inwardly of the V-shaped slit is secured to the wrapper to movewith the wrapper between the open and closed positions. The portion ofthe label positioned outwardly of the V-shaped slit is resealablyadhered to the wrapper to allow the label to disengage from the wrapperoutwardly of the V-shaped slit in the open position and reseal to thewrapper in the closed position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a resealable packaging container forhousing goods therein. The resealable packaging container includes awrapper of flexible material having an inner surface and an outersurface for enclosing the goods within the wrapper. A perforated panelis scored or die cut into the wrapper and movable between an openposition and a closed position. The perforated panel defines a wrapperopening in the wrapper for accessing the goods when in the openposition. The container may assume any three-dimensional shape and mayinclude a separate internal structure such as a tray to provide rigidityfor support when necessary. The container can hold anything, such as forexample, wipes, food items, small parts, etc.

A pressure sensitive coated collar adhesively engages the inner surfaceof the wrapper in the area of the perforated panel to at least partiallysurround the wrapper opening. The collar has an open central portionthat is positioned directly underneath the panel when the panel is inthe closed position. The pressure sensitive coated collar has an exposedregion and an adhered region. The adhered region is adhered to the innersurface of the wrapper adjacent the wrapper opening. The exposed regionextends into the wrapper opening with the exposed region facing thepanel such that the perforated panel adheres to the exposed region toadhesively close the panel against the exposed region when the panel isin the closed position.

The open central portion of the pressure sensitive coated collar ispositioned inwardly of the wrapper opening and allows access to thegoods. The open central portion is defined in the pressure sensitivecoated collar prior to the initial opening of the resealable packagingcontainer. In this way, the panel is free of any portion of the collarwhen in the open position and has the same flexibility as the wrapper.

In operation, the perforated panel of the wrapper separates from thepressure sensitive coated collar, which has been uniquely applied to theinner surface of the wrapper. The perforated panel of wrapper materialcan readily be re-adhered to the exposed region of the pressuresensitive coated collar. This creates the resealing function of theresealable packaging container.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The resealable packaging container for food, personal care goods, parts,etc. of the present invention provides protection for the goods untilthe container is opened, and provides easy access and visibility to thegoods after opening. The present invention achieves advantages, byproviding a resealable packaging container and method for making same,in which the resealable packaging container has an opening and resealfeature that utilizes a separate pressure sensitive coated collaruniquely cut and disposed on the inner surface of the wrapper. Thewrapper has a pre-cut perforated panel which defines an opening in thewrapper when pulled back. The perforated panel is positioned oppositethe pressure sensitive coated collar. The perforated panel is adapted tobe re-sealed against the exposed region of the pressure sensitive coatedcollar, providing a resealable action.

Another advantage provided by the present invention is that it providesfor a container that is easier to open Upon the initial opening, onlythe perforated panel portion of the wrapper needs to separated from theremainder of the wrapper that defines the resealable packagingcontainer, that is; tearing along only one perforated portion isrequired. As such, the present invention requires less force to open theresealable packaging container, making it easier to open.

An additional advantage provided by the present invention is that theperforated panel of the resealable container of the present inventionhas greater flexibility and maneuverability. In the prior art, theadhesive label that is secured to the perforated panel increases boththe weight and the thickness of the perforated panel at the productopening, making it less flexible and more difficult to maneuver. In theresealable packaging container of the present invention, the perforatedpanel does not have anything attached to it, which results in the weightand thickness of the perforated panel being less when the resealablecontainer is opened. The perforated panel is more flexible than in theprior art container and has the same flexibility as the wrapper.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the pressuresensitive coated collar is disposed on the inner surface of the wrapperand reinforces the wrapper to make it stiffer at the opening andprovides for a stiffer surface for resealing the perforated panel. Thisreduces wrinkles, air gaps and channels between the perforated panel andthe pressure sensitive coated collar in the closed position.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the use of a pressuresensitive coated collar on the inner surface of the wrapper provides fora more aesthetically appealing container.

Another advantage of the present invention is that placing the pressuresensitive coated collar on the inner surface of the wrapper allows forless accuracy in the initial alignment of the pressure sensitive coatedcollar. In the prior art containers, the adhesive label must beaccurately adhered to the top surface of the wrapper for properfunctioning and aesthetics.

Another advantage of the present invention is that with the pressuresensitive coated collar on the inner surface of the wrapper, there isless likelihood of contamination. Placing the pressure sensitive coatedcollar on the inner surface of the wrapper forms a functional barrierbetween the goods and the adhesive on the pressure sensitive coatedcollar. This obviates the need for a food grade adhesive if foodproducts are to be provided in the container. Also, if the perforatedpanel is misaligned, the adhesive will not contact the food or othergoods in the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same is better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when considered in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wrapper having a pressure sensitivecoated collar applied to the wrapper according to an embodiment of thesubject invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the perforated panel of the wrapper andthe exposed region of the pressure sensitive coated collar, which hasbeen applied to the inner surface of the wrapper, as the packagingsystem is opened according to an embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the finished packaging system with theperforated panel creating the product opening and reclosable featureaccording to an embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 4 is a plane view of the roll stock from the inner surface of theroll stock with the pressure sensitive coated collar applied after theroll stock has been cut to size but immediately prior to being formedinto a wrapper according to an embodiment of the subject invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a pressure sensitive coated collar according tothe subject invention;

FIG. 6 is perspective view of a resealable packaging container in theopen position according to an alternative embodiment of the subjectinvention; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of the resealable packaging container in the closedposition according to an alternative embodiment of the subjectinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views, a resealable packaging container 20for housing goods is generally shown. The goods may be any product thatis normally contained in a wrapper 24. For exemplary purposes, thegoods, may include, but are not limited to food products, such as bakedgoods and snack products, or personal care goods such as wet wipeproducts or general goods such as parts. The package may hold a singlegood or a plurality of goods as desired.

The resealable packaging container 20 includes any wrapper 24 offlexible material known in the art. The wrapper 24 encloses or surroundsthe plurality goods or a tray, etc. that may be used. The shape of thewrapper 24 can be complementary to the shape of the goods or a tray,etc. that holds the goods such as, for example, circular, rectangular,square, etc. The wrapper 24 may be a single layer of flexible film, orit may include a plurality of flexible film layers that are laminatedtogether.

The wrapper 24 includes an inner surface 42 and an outer surface 44. Theinner surface 42 of the wrapper 24 faces the goods within the resealablepackaging container 20. The outer surface 44 of the wrapper 24 is whatthe customer sees. The wrapper 24 may include graphics disposed on theouter surface 44 of the wrapper 24. The graphics may be applied to thewrapper 24 via surface printing or reverse printing. Graphics that maybe incorporated onto the wrapper 24 include, but are not limited to,product identification and product nutritional information.

An internal tray structure 22 may be enclosed within the wrapper 24 tohold the goods. In this embodiment, the wrapper 24 encloses or surroundsthe internal tray structure 22 that holds the goods. The shape of thewrapper 24 may be complementary to the tray structure 22. In theexemplary embodiment, the tray structure 22 and the wrapper 24 thatsurrounds the tray structure 22 are generally rectangular, but the traystructure 22 and complementary shape of the wrapper 24 may be any shapeknown in the art, including, but not limited to circular, oval,rectangular, square etc.

In the exemplary embodiment, the wrapper 24 is sealed at opposing ends26, 28 to enclose the goods or internal tray structure 22 within thewrapper 24. The wrapper 24 may further include an additional seal thatextends transversely between the opposing ends 26, 28 along theresealable packaging container 20. Typically, this transverse seal isdisposed along the bottom of the resealable packaging container 20. Theseals may be formed by any sealing method known in the art, including,but not limited to heat sealing.

A perforated panel 30 is cut into the wrapper 24. The cutting of theperforated panel 30 into the wrapper 24 may be accomplished byperforations, die-cuts or a score line. The cuts forming the perforatedpanel 30 are cut into the wrapper 24 from either the outer 44 or innersurface 42 of the wrapper 24. In the disclosed embodiment, theperforated panel 30 is generally U-shaped and extends between first andsecond perforated ends 70, 72, but may be any shape known in the art,including circular, oval, rectangular, square, etc. The perforated panel30 moves between open and closed positions. In the open position, theperforated panel 30 provides entry, via a wrapper opening 32, to thegoods disposed in the resealable packaging container 20. In thedisclosed embodiment, the wrapper opening 32 is generally rectangularbut could be any desired shape, such as circular, oval, square, etc.

After the resealable packaging container 20 is initially opened, theperforated panel 30 is moved to the closed position to reseal theperforated panel 30 to a pressure sensitive coated collar 34 to bediscussed in greater detail below. The subject invention allows for therepeated opening and closing of the perforated panel 30. That is, theuser may open and close the resealable packaging container 20 any numberof times necessary to access the goods disposed within the resealablepackaging container 20.

The perforated panel 30 may include a lift tab 46 that is disposed atone end of the perforated panel 30. In the exemplary embodiment, thelift tab 46 is incorporated into the perforated panel 30, and as such,the lift tab 46 is also cut into the wrapper 24 using perforations, diecuts or a score line. The lift tab 46 provides a user with an area tograsp the perforated panel 30 and to move the perforated panel 30between the open and closed positions. The lift tab 46 is free ofadhesive such that the user can easily grasp the lift tab 46.

The resealable packaging container 20 may further include an indicator48 that is disposed adjacent to or on the lift tab 46. The indicator 48identifies the lift tab 46 that provides the user with the ability tomove the perforated panel 30 between the open and closed positions. Theindicator 48 can be in the form of graphics on the wrapper 24. Suchgraphics can include text identifying the lift tab 46 or a directionalindicator 48, such as an arrow that points in the direction of the lifttab 46. Any indicator 48 known in the art may be used.

The perforated panel 30 may further include at least one stoppingportion 50 that is disposed at the end of the perforated panel 30opposite the lift tab 46. Since, the at least one stopping portion 50 isa portion of the perforated panel 30, the at least one stopping portion50 is also cut into the wrapper 24 using perforations, die cuts or ascore line. The at least one stopping portion 50 limits the movement ofthe perforated panel 30 when the perforated panel 30 is moved to theopen position. In one exemplary embodiment the perforated panel 30includes a pair of stopping portions 50, with each of the stoppingportions 50 being j-shaped cuts extending inwardly from each of thefirst and second perforated ends 70, 72 towards one another. While theperforated panel 30 may include at least one stopping portion 50, in thepresent invention, the placement of the pressure sensitive coated collar34 and adhesive disposed thereon underneath the roll stock, obviates theneed for a stopping portion 50 in the wrapper 24 to prevent inadvertenttearing.

The resealable packaging container 20 may further include a tamperevident element to indicate to a user that the resealable packagingcontainer 20 has been opened. The tamper evident element may beincorporated into the wrapper 24. For example, the tamper evidentelement may be in the form of graphics disposed on the wrapper 24. Inaddition, the tamper evident element may be a separate structure appliedto the wrapper 24. The tamper evident element may be any tamper evidentelement known in the art. Placing the pressure sensitive coated collar34 on the inner surface 42 of the wrapper 24 allows the tamper evidentfeature to be incorporated into the wrapper.

The resealable packaging container 20 further includes a pressuresensitive coated collar 34 having a collar surface 60 that adhesivelyengages the inner surface 42 of the wrapper 24 underneath the perforatedpanel 30 to partially surround the wrapper opening 32. Since thepressure sensitive coated collar 34 is attached to the inner surface 42of the wrapper 24, the wrapper 24 is reinforced, making it stiffer andproviding for a stiffer surface for resealing the perforated panel 30 inthe closed position. This reduces wrinkles, air gaps and channelsbetween the perforated panel 30 and the coated collar 34 in the closedposition.

The pressure sensitive coated collar 34 has both a width and length thatare smaller than the width and length of the wrapper 24. That is, thepressure sensitive coated collar 34 and the wrapper 24 are notcontiguous with one another. As a result, the pressure sensitive coatedcollar 34 minimizes the amount of material that needs to be secured tothe wrapper 24 to allow the perforated panel 30 to be repeatedly openedand closed.

The pressure sensitive coated collar 34 may be generally oval shaped,circular, rectangular, square, U-shaped or horseshoe shaped, etc. Thepressure sensitive coated collar 34 may be formed from any suitablematerial known in the art, including, but not limited to, a flexiblefilm or paper materials. The pressure sensitive coated collar 34 may bea single layer structure, or it may include a plurality of layers thatare laminated together to form the pressure sensitive coated collar 34.

The pressure sensitive coated collar 34 includes an open central portion66 that is disposed inwardly of the wrapper opening 32 and an exposedregion 68 that is disposed between the wrapper opening 32 and the opencentral portion 66. The open central portion 66 may be generally ovalshaped, circular, rectangular, square, or U-shaped, etc. The perforatedpanel 30 reseals to the exposed region 68 of the pressure sensitivecoated collar 34 in the closed position.

In the exemplary embodiment, the pressure sensitive coated collar 34includes a pair of inner edges 54, 56 that are spaced and extendparallel to each other. A perpendicular edge 58 extends transverselybetween the inner edges 54, 56. The open central portion 66 is definedbetween the inner edges 54, 56 and perpendicular edge 58. In theexemplary embodiment, the pressure sensitive coated collar 34 mayfurther include a pair of collar ends 36, 38, with each of collar ends36, 38 extending inwardly from one of inner edges 54, 56 towards theother of the collar ends 36, 38. The collar ends 36, 38 may be spaced todefine a gap 40 therebetween. The gap is optional and not necessary forthe present invention to operate. The open central portion 66 is furtherdefined by the inner edges 54, 56, the perpendicular edge 58 which isdisposed opposite the gap 40.

The pressure sensitive coated collar 34 is cut into a piece of stockmaterial. This cutting of the uniquely shaped pressure sensitive coatedcollar 34 into the stock material may be accomplished by perforations,scoring, die-cutting or any other method of cutting the stock materialknown in the art. In the exemplary embodiment, the open central portion66 is die cut into a generally rectangular piece of stock material.Again, the open central portion 66 may be generally oval shaped,circular, rectangular, square, or U-shaped, etc. In the exemplaryembodiment, the die cut is disposed into the pressure sensitive coatedcollar 34, and forms the inner edges 54, 56, the perpendicular edge 58,and the collar ends 36, 38 of the pressure sensitive coated collar 34,that defines the open central portion 66.

The open central portion 66 is removed from the remainder of thepressure sensitive coated collar 34. The optional gap 40 between thepair of inwardly extending collar ends 36, 38 may assist in the removalof a portion of the stock material in a matrix to form the open centralportion 66 and the gap 40. As a result of the open central portion 66being removed, the pressure sensitive coated collar 34 only adhesivelyengages the inner surface 42 of the wrapper 24 at the perforated panel30 to at least partially surround the wrapper opening 32. It ispossible, based on the shape of the pressure sensitive coated collar 34and the open central portion 66 that the pressure sensitive coatedcollar 34 will surround the wrapper opening 32.

In the exemplary embodiment, an adhesive is applied to a collar surface60 of the pressure sensitive coated collar 34 that adhesively engagesthe inner surface 42 of the wrapper 24. The adhesive may be a pressuresensitive adhesive, such as Fasson®, but any pressure sensitive adhesiveknown in the art may be used. Because the exposed region 68 of thepressure sensitive coated collar 34 extends into the wrapper opening 32,when the panel is moved back to a closed position, the adhesive on theexposed region 68 of the pressure sensitive coated collar 34 contactsthe inner surface 42 of the perforated panel 30 to effectuate sealing ofthe resealable packaging container 20 when the perforated panel 30 ismoved to the closed position.

The collar surface 60 may include a non-adhesive region 62 and anadhesive region 64. The non-adhesive region 62 is disposed adjacent thelift tab 46 to allow a user to grab the lift tab 46 to move the rollstock 24 between the open and closed positions. The non-adhesive region62 may be completely free of adhesive or may include a deadening agentthat reacts with the adhesive to eliminate its adhesive properties.

The placement of the pressure sensitive coated collar 34 on the innersurface 42 of the wrapper 24 prevents the downward curl effect found inthe prior art. With containers that have the label applied to the top,the adhesive disposed on the label pulls away from the opening, curlsdown and when re-sealed there is a potential for air gaps in the seal.In the present invention, if the edges of the perforated panel 30 curl,they curl towards the adhesive on the pressure sensitive coated collar34.

In addition, with the pressure sensitive coated collar 34 disposed onthe inner surface 42 of the wrapper 24, there is less likelihood ofproduct contamination. Placing the pressure sensitive coated collar 34underneath the wrapper 34 forms a functional barrier between the goodsand the adhesive disposed on the pressure sensitive coated collar 34.This obviates the need for a food grade adhesive when food products areinvolved. Also, if the perforated panel 30 is misaligned, the adhesivewill not contact the goods within the resealable packaging container 20.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the perforated panel30 is less stiff than known panels on reseal containers. In the presentinvention, the perforated panel 30 does not have a label attached to it.There is nothing attached to the perforated panel 30 of the presentinvention because collar 34 has the open central portion 66. The lessstiff perforated panel 30 easily remains open after it has been pulledback. The prior art resealable packaging containers have more memory andare likely to spring back to the closed position due to their flaphaving a portion of the adhesive label attached to it after opening. Asa result, the perforated panel 30 of the resealable container of thepresent invention has greater flexibility and maneuverability. In theprior art, the flap having a portion of the adhesive attached to itweights more and is thicker, making it less flexible and more difficultto maneuver. In the present invention, the removal of the adhesiveportion to define the central portion 66 prior to the initial opening ofthe resealable packaging container 20 results in the weight andthickness of the perforated panel 30 being less at the wrapper opening32.

The present invention further provides a method of forming a resealablepackaging container 20 for housing goods. To begin, the pressuresensitive coated collar 34 which is manufactured from a film, paper orany other stock material known in the art, is coated with an adhesiveand mated to a release liner. The film that makes up the pressuresensitive coated collar 34 may be selected from oriented polypropylene(OPP) polyester, similar polymers or any other material known in theart. After coating the collar surface 60 of the pressure sensitivecoated collar 34 with the adhesive and drying, the pressure sensitivecoated collar 34 is mounted on a release liner and wound on a roll orspool to form a master roll. The master roll may then be slit to apredetermined width.

The slit master roll of film that makes up the pressure sensitive coatedcollar 34 and release liner are then unwound and separated from eachother. The pressure sensitive coated collars 34 are then coated with adeadening agent, such as a release coating or deadening ink, in registerin a predetermined area and size to form the non-adhesive region 62 onthe collar surface 60 of the pressure sensitive coated collar 34. Thedeadening agent may be applied to the collar surface 60 by a printingpress or any other device known in the art for applying deadeningagents. The deadening agent masks the effects of the adhesive so thatthe area to which it is applied will not adhere to the roll stock 24 orwrapper 24, enabling the lift tab 46 to be easily grasped by a user.

The film and release liner at this point are then mated back togetherand introduced and fed through a die cutting station. The film is cut tothe desired shape of the pressure sensitive coated collar 34. In theexemplary embodiment, the shape may be generally in that of a horseshoe.Alternatively, the shape may be circular, oval, rectangular, or anyother shape known in the art. This cutting extends through the pressuresensitive coated collar 34. At this point, in the preferred embodiment,the non usable portion of the die cut pressure sensitive coated collar34 is removed as a matrix. This matrix includes the center portion thatdefines the open central portion 66 between the inner edges 54, 56 andthe perpendicular edge 58 of the pressure sensitive coated collar 34.The matrix which is separated from the release liner, leaving thepressure sensitive coated collar 34, can be recycled.

The pressure sensitive coated collar 34 and the release liner are thenwound on a spool to a desired diameter. The finished wound spool of thepressure sensitive coated collars 34 and release liner is now ready forapplication to the roll stock 25.

The roll stock 25 includes an inner surface 42 and an outer surface 44.The roll stock 25 may be a single layer of flexible film, or it mayinclude a plurality of flexible film layers that are laminated together.In an exemplary embodiment, the roll stock 25 may comprise at least aninside impervious layer and an outside layer laminated together. Afterlamination, the layers are cut to the same width and length if they arenot the same width or length before or during the lamination process.Additional layers may be included in the lamination between the insideimpervious layer and the outside layer, if desired.

The roll stock 25 is a flexible film made from at least one ofpolyolefins, polystyrenes, polyimides, and more specifically polyesteror polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The roll stock 25 may be printed oneither side by reverse printing or by surface printing. Thus, productidentification or any other information, including any trademarks, maybe applied to the roll stock 25 so that the source of the goods withinthe resealable packaging container 20 and any other information can bereadily viewed by the consumer or purchaser. The roll stock 25 mayfurther provide protection that prevents entry of sunlight, and/or airwhen the goods that are used is a food item.

In the exemplary embodiment, the die-cut pressure sensitive coatedcollar 34 is applied to the roll stock 25. As noted above, the pressuresensitive coated collar 34 includes a pressure sensitive adhesiveapplied to the collar surface 60. The pressure sensitive coated collar34 is applied to the inner surface 42 of the roll stock 25, which willface the product being packaged. The pressure sensitive coated collar 34is applied to the roll stock 25 from a separate spool. The collarsurface 60 of the pressure sensitive coated collar 34 having theadhesive is contacted to inner surface 42 of the roll stock 25 as thepressure sensitive coated collar 34 is unspooled from the spool andseparated and cleanly removed from the release liner. Placing thepressure sensitive coated collar 34 on the inner surface 42 of the rollstock 25 allows for less accuracy in initial alignment of the pressuresensitive coated collar 34 and further prevents the adhesive from beingexposed to the goods within the resealable packaging container 20.

In the preferred embodiment, cuts, such as perforations, die cuts orscore lines, are then made into the roll stock 25 from the outer surface44 of the roll stock 24 opposite the pressure sensitive coated collar 34in the shape of a desired perforated portion. In the exemplaryembodiment, the roll stock 25 is die cut to form the U-shaped perforatedpanel 30. The die-cuts are formed in the roll stock 25 so that theyoverlap the pressure sensitive coated collar 34 applied to the innersurface 42 of the roll stock 25. The die-cuts penetrate the roll stock25, and may partially penetrate the pressure sensitive coated collar 34,but do not completely cut through the thickness of pressure sensitivecoated collar 34. The roll stock 25, having been cut, is now ready to beformed into the wrapper 24 of packaging system 20. However, the die-cutroll stock 25 material may be rolled into a coil until it is ready forforming into the wrapper 24 of a resealable packaging container 20.

When product is available and ready for packaging into a resealablepackaging container 20, the roll stock 25 having the pressure sensitivecoated collar 34 can be uncoiled and cut to size. The roll stock 25 isfolded around the product and the edges are brought into contact. Theedges are then sealed using any known sealing method which may includeheat sealing using pressure and/or heat. While the roll stock 25 havinga pressure sensitive coated collar 34 has been provided in a form tofacilitate a horizontal forming technique, the roll stock 25 having apressure sensitive coated collar 34 can be provided in a form tofacilitate packaging using the well know vertical forming technique orby pouching.

The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with therelevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather thanlimiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosedembodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do comewithin the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legalprotection afforded this invention can only be determined by studyingthe following claims.

ELEMENT LIST Element Symbol Element Name 20 resealable packagingcontainer 22 tray structure 24 wrapper 26 first end 28 second end 30perforated panel 32 wrapper opening 34 pressure sensitive coated collar36 first collar end 38 second collar end 40 gap 42 inner surface 44outer surface 46 lift tab 48 indicator 50 stopping portion 54 firstinner edge 56 second inner edge 58 perpendicular edge 60 collar surface62 non-adhesive region 64 adhesive region 66 Central portion 68 exposedregion 70 first perforated end 72 second perforated end

What is claimed is:
 1. A resealable packaging container for housing oneor more goods, comprising: a wrapper having an inner surface and anouter surface for enclosing the one or more goods within said wrapper; aperforated panel cut into said wrapper and movable between an openposition to access the one or more goods and a closed position anddefining a wrapper opening in said wrapper for accessing the one or moregoods when in said open position; a pressure sensitive coated collaradhesively engaging said inner surface of said wrapper at saidperforated panel to at least partially surround said wrapper opening;said collar having an open central portion positioned directlyunderneath said panel when said panel is in said closed position; saidpressure sensitive coated collar having an exposed region and an adheredregion, said adhered region is adhered to said inner surface of saidwrapper adjacent said wrapper opening, said exposed region extendinginto said wrapper opening with said exposed region facing said panelsuch that said perforated panel adheres to said exposed region toadhesively close said panel against said exposed region when said panelis in said closed position; said open central portion is disposedinwardly of said wrapper opening with said open central portion definedin said pressure sensitive coated collar prior to initial opening ofsaid resealable packaging container; whereby said panel is free of anyportion of said collar when in said open position and has the sameflexibility as said wrapper.
 2. The resealable packaging container asset forth in claim 1, further including an internal tray structureenclosed within said wrapper for holding the one or more goods.
 3. Theresealable packaging container as set forth in claim 1, furtherincluding a lift tab disposed at one end of said perforated panel formoving said perforated panel between said open and closed positions. 4.The resealable packaging container as set forth in claim 3, wherein saidpressure sensitive coated collar includes a collar surface facing saidinner surface of said wrapper and having a non-adhesive region adjacentsaid lift tab for allowing a user to grab said lift tab to move saidperforated panel between said open and closed positions.
 5. Theresealable packaging container as set forth in claim 1, furtherincluding at least one stopping portion disposed at one end of saidperforated panel for limiting the movement of said perforated panel. 6.The resealable packaging container as set forth in claim 1, furtherincluding a tamper evident element for indicating that said resealablepackaging container has been opened.
 7. The resealable packagingcontainer as set forth in claim 1, further including graphics beingvisible on said outer surface of said wrapper.
 8. A method of forming aresealable packaging container for housing one or more goods, comprisingthe steps of: cutting a pressure sensitive coated collar mounted on arelease liner to a desired shape; removing a portion from said pressuresensitive coated collar to define an open central portion within thepressure sensitive coated collar; separating the pressure sensitivecoated collar from the release liner; adhesively engaging the pressuresensitive coated collar to an inner surface of a wrapper; cutting thewrapper into an outer surface of the wrapper in a shape of a desiredperforated portion movable between an open and closed position; andsealing the wrapper around the one or more goods within the wrapper toform the resealable packaging container; said removed portion of saidpressure sensitive coated collar that defines the open central portionis removed completely prior to adhesively engaging the pressuresensitive coated collar to the inner surface of the wrapper.
 9. Themethod as set forth in claim 8, further including the steps of: coatinga collar surface of the pressure sensitive coated collar with anadhesive; and mounting the pressure sensitive coated collar with theadhesive to the release liner prior to the cutting the pressuresensitive coated collar step.
 10. The method as set forth in claim 9,further including the step of applying a deadening agent to anon-adhesive region of the collar surface of the pressure sensitivecoated collar after the step of separating the pressure sensitive coatedcollar from the release liner.